DD is taking 4 “easy” AP classes as a freshman. Does that look suspicious?
What is an “easy AP class”?
And what is “suspicious?”
No necessary point in a 9th grader loading up. Top adcoms aren’t looking for the kids with the most AP.
@lookingforward. Some schools districts like have AP classes in Pre K ?. It seems they are dishing them out earlier and earlier. My son’s school didnt allow them prior to Junior year. But his was an all honors school also.
Not even sure what AP you would take as a Freshman…
LOL.
Lots of kids take AP World Geo. Some bright lights take an advanced math that early. OP said, “easy.”
Which four?
Human geography seems to be used as an honors 9th grade social studies course in some schools.
Some students are super advanced in math, so they may take calculus then in their normal progression.
Some students are heritage speakers of a foreign language or were in a language immersion program starting in elementary school, so the AP course may be their proper placement.
But what else is plausible?
Human Geography, Psychology, Computer Science Principles, and Environmental Science.
Suspicious as in padding your GPA.
Don’t sacrifice core courses for AP electives during HS. Colleges want to see bio, chem, physics, and an AP in at least one those courses; 4 years of math; 4 years of english, 3 -4 years of history: 3 - 4 years of foreign language; 1 year of fine arts.
Padding your gpa?? As if gpa is the “it?”
Top adcoms will look at the transcript, see the rigor or not, the wisdom of choices-- which means rigor in cores, at the right time in the hs career…and top grades. Top adcoms aren’t impressed by flufflier APs, some inflated count of APs, or a high gpa composed of easier classes.
Lots of us on CC tell even juniors or seniors not to bother with the “easy” APs.
DD plans on taking CSA, Calc BC, Bio, Stats, and Gov next year, and will be going into the IB program. She just wants experience with AP courses. Would it not be wise to take these fluffier AP classes?
She is taking these courses along with her full course load. She will take all core AP classes next year, with the exception of CSA.
What else is she taking beside these AP courses? I would imagine an English, right? What math that will prepare her for calculus next year.
What else?
Honors English, Honors Biology, Honors Pre-Calculus, and Spanish 2. HuG is a history credit. Rigor isn’t a concern. She is just worried if it will look suspicious.
Imo, 9th is young and one’s first experience with hs. If all goes well, she gets top grades, fine. But if there’s a hiccup, and she intends to target tippy top colleges, that can be a problem. She’ll need top AP test scores, too.
But the die is cast, no?
If you don;t know what it takes to get into a top college, it’s important to learn. It’s not AP count, top gpa winner takes all, or false rigor.
Her school did not start that long ago, so her schedule is still flexible. She seems to be handling everything well.
As I said, though, she is worried that these classes will be seen as GPA padders. For the time being, I told her that too many AP’s will not hurt, as long as she can handle it. I was not educated in America and am not familiar with American college admissions, so insight from others is always helpful.
be wary of Enviro. While it really is nothing but a subset of Bio, Enviro teachers can pack on a LOT of project work to go along with the lighter academics.
I’d also be wary of biting off (8 courses, if I’m counting correctly), more than she can chew. Two fewer classes and all A’s looks better than a 3.5 GPA (mix of A’s and B’s).
She is taking eight classes? Really? Why? And all academic? No arts classes? No PE and Health?
Why?
She has A and B days (4 periods per day). She took PE over the summer, and it is not required for IB. CSP and Psychology are electives. Most kids take 3, but she is taking Environmental as another science credit. She will still take core classes all years of high school.
It won’t look suspicious. But all academic classes seems very single minded.
No chorus or band or art or something like that? No PE or health?
Who chose these courses for your daughter?